Bangalore to host first MSME tech centre

MSME ministry proposes to set up the centre at Bangalore Aerospace Park near international airport, the centre likely to train 10,000 people every year

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, has proposed to set up the first MSME Technology Centre at Bangalore Aerospace Park near Devanahalli. The ministry has also planned to set up similar centres in 14 other cities across the country.

The Technology Centres (TCs) are expected to train about 10,000 trainees per year in the third year of establishment through various long-term and short-term training programmes in the area of precision tooling and assist around 1,000 MSMEs by way of design and development of sophisticated moulds, dies, tools and equipment as well as testing, calibration including consultancy in the related fields.

Talking to reporters, here on Saturday, K H Muniyappa, Minister of State for MSME (Independent Charge), said, "The proposal to establish the Technology Centre is based on the fact that Karnataka state has some of the best aerospace and electronics industries and also home to advanced R&D institutions like HAL, NAL, among others. There are several prestigious projects in progress and this would be the right time to support their activities by promoting the MSME sector. Handholding them to enhance their competitiveness through these centres."

This high-tech technology centre, with testing and calibration facility, will facilitate the development of sophisticated tools required for the aerospace and electronics industry. The proposed centre will also provide skilled manpower required by the industry, especially MSMEs in aerospace and ESDM Sector, he added.

The Ministry of MSME, through the Development Commissioner, MSME, has taken an initiative to implement "Technology Centre Systems Program (TCSP)" to establish 15 new Technology Centres (TC) and upgrade the existing facilities under the Mission-mode Programme in the country.

The Karnataka government has already established an aerospace park at Devanahalli near to Bangalore International Airport, where a large number of aerospace based SMEs would be accommodated. In this scenario, a world class Technology Centre, especially catering to the needs of aerospace sector in the same park would be a great boon for the development of the sector.